The family of Klaar in Albany are descended from Nicholas Klaar, born in Aschbach, Prussia. He was also the founder of the family in the United States. He married, in Prussia, Philipine Roeper, and all their children were born there. In 1854 he came to the United States with his wife and children, Lisette, Philip and Adam, his other children, William, Frederick and Peter, having preceded their parents, the first two emigrating in 1852 and the latter in 1853. After settling in Albany, New York, Nicholas Klaar worked at various occupations. Children:
- William, married, and both he and his wife are buried in Rural Cemetery.
- Frederick, see forward.
- Peter, married twice and had issue by both wives, who are now deceased; he died at age of sixty-five.
- Philip, the only surviving child (1910), now living a retired life with his wife, Catherine, aged sixty-eight, at Green Island, Albany county, making their home with a widowed daughter, Charlotte, who married John Dexler, who died in 1899, leaving children: Bertha, Norman and Elizabeth; Philip is now seventy-three years old.
- Lisette, married Charles Pfeiffer, who survives her, a resident of Ohio.
- Adam, died in Defiance, Ohio. Nicholas Klaar, died in 1879, aged eighty, and his wife in 1871, aged sixty-six years.
(II) Frederick, son of Nicholas and Philipine (Roeper) Klaar, was born in Aschbach, Prussia, (now Empire of Germany) April 13, 1833. He learned the molder's trade in Germany and was twenty years of age when he emigrated to the United States in company with his brother William. He settled in Albany, New York, obtained employment at his trade and after a time also engaged in the grocery business. He stood well in the German colony, was a member of their local organizations, became a Republican voter and was a Lutheran in religion. He married, in Albany, Catherine Lortz, born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, October 25, 1838, died in Albany, New York, September 21, 1898. She was brought to the United States with her parents in 1847. Her father, John J. Lortz, was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, January 17, 1795, died in Albany, December 12, 1877, a good citizen and active member of the Lutheran church. He married Elizabeth Rossman, native of the same province, born March 9, 1805, died in Albany, May 10, 1877, her death resulting from injuries received by fire caused by an overturned lamp igniting her clothing. Their children were:
- Catherine, married Frederick Klaar.
- Barbara, born January 2, 1841; married John Koenig, whom she survives in Albany; children:
- Anthony, deceased,
- Jennie, living,
- Nettie, deceased.
- Margaret, born August 7, 1843, a lifelong invalid, now cared for in the home of her nephew, Frederick W. Klaar; unmarried.
- Elizabeth, born January 25, 1845; married George Ten Eyck, whom she survives at Albany, New York; children: Margaret F., Anna, Nora, Elizabeth, Rachel, Mary and John.
Children of Frederick and Catherine (Lortz) Klaar:
- Frederick W., see forward.
- Minnie, born October 25, 1856; married John Zimmerman; she survives him, living in Albany, New York, with children: Minnie, Catherine, Robert, George, Lissette, Carrie, Jeanette.
- Lisette, born May 23, 1859; married Jacob Hoerdt, of Albany; children: William, Eugene and Marie.
- John, born December 26, 1860, died 1898; married Susan Saulter, who survives him; children: Carrie, Margaret and Antoinette.
- Catherine E., born May 29, 1863; married Edward Halter; children: George, Robert and Loretta.
- George, born November 24, 1865, died March, 1867.
- Caroline P., born December 12, 1867, died unmarried September, 1887.
- Mary F., born September 19, 1869; resides with her brother, Frederick W.
- Anthony, born January 17, 1872; married Mary Fleury; children: Edna J. and Marion A.
- Antoinette F., born January 6, 1879; married Gottlieb Legler; son Roy.
(III) Frederick W., eldest son of Frederick and Catherine (Lortz) Klaar, was born in Albany, New York, July 11, 1855. He was educated in the parochial schools, and his entire life has been passed in the city of his birth. He has now practically retired from active business life. He is a Republican in politics, and for four years, 1886-90, represented his ward in the city common council. He has been a member of Peabody Lodge, No. 32, Knights of Pythias, thirty-two years, has passed all the official chairs of the local lodge, and for twenty years was financial secretary of the lodge. He is a member of Guttenburg Lodge, No. 737, Free and Accepted Masons, and a life member of Temple Chapter, No. 5, Royal Arch Masons, and a member of De Witt Clinton Council, No. 22, Royal and Select Masters. He is unmarried.